Pre-Magnetized Media for Toner and Digital Printing: How Does It Work?

Printing magnetic graphics on a toner-based digital press presents a unique challenge.

Traditional flexible magnetic sheeting can be too thick, too heavy or too difficult to transport through equipment designed primarily for paper, synthetic sheets and other digital-print media.

Pre-magnetized print media addresses this challenge by combining a thin magnetic construction with a printable surface engineered for compatible digital printing processes.

The result is a media that can be printed first and used directly as a magnetic graphic — without laminating a separately printed graphic onto conventional magnetic sheeting.

Table of Contents

• 1. What Is Pre-Magnetized Print Media?
• 2. Why Use Pre-Magnetized Media?
• 3. How Is the Media Constructed?
• 4. 13 pt Standard vs 17 pt Premium
• 5. Magnetic Holding Performance
• 6. Pole Pitch and Magnetization
• 7. Toner and Digital Printing Considerations
• 8. Tested Equipment vs Universal Compatibility
• 9. Feeding, Thickness and Sheet Handling
• 10. Heat and Fusing
• 11. Why the Back Surface Matters
• 12. Typical Applications
• 13. Magnetic vs Magnetic-Receptive Print Systems
• 14. How to Choose 13 pt or 17 pt
• 15. How to Qualify Magnetic Media on Your Press
• 16. Common Mistakes
• 17. Frequently Asked Questions

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1. What Is Pre-Magnetized Print Media?

Pre-magnetized print media is a thin flexible magnetic material supplied with magnetic properties already built into the sheet and a surface suitable for a compatible printing process.

Unlike a conventional workflow where a printed graphic may be laminated onto a separate magnetic sheet, pre-magnetized media combines the printing substrate and magnetic function into one media construction.

This can simplify production:

Print → Finish → Cut → Install

rather than:

Print Graphic → Laminate to Magnet → Finish → Cut → Install

The exact workflow still depends on the printing equipment, finishing requirements and application.

For a broader discussion of printable magnetic materials, see SSKC-035 — Printable Magnetic Sheeting: How to Choose the Right Material for Your Printer.

2. Why Use Pre-Magnetized Media?

The principal advantage is that the magnetic material can be significantly thinner than conventional flexible magnetic sheeting used for many signage applications.

This can make the construction better suited to printing equipment with more restrictive media paths.

Depending on the application and equipment, potential advantages include:

• thin magnetic construction;
• direct printing;
• reduced production steps;
• no separate magnetic lamination step;
• easy graphic changes;
• clean installation on compatible ferromagnetic surfaces;
• digital production of short runs and variable graphics;
• sheet-fed production possibilities.

However, thin construction also means that the product should not automatically be expected to provide the same magnetic holding capability as much thicker conventional magnetic sheeting.

3. How Is the Media Constructed?

A pre-magnetized print media must perform several functions simultaneously.

It needs:

• a printable surface;
• a thin magnetic construction;
• controlled overall caliper;
• sufficient flexibility for the intended equipment;
• dimensional stability during printing;
• magnetic performance suitable for the final application;
• a back surface compatible with handling and production.

These requirements make the complete media construction more important than magnetic strength alone.

4. 13 pt Standard vs 17 pt Premium

Simple Signman Magnetic Print Media is available in two performance levels:

Characteristic	13 pt Standard	17 pt Premium
Nominal caliper	13 mil ± 1.3 mil	16 mil ± 1.6 mil
Positioning	Standard	Premium
Minimum pull specification	≥ 6.0 g/cm²	≥ 10.0 g/cm²
Opacity	100%	100%
Typical selection objective	Lower caliper where printer handling and general magnetic performance are priorities	Higher magnetic holding performance where the press and application can accommodate the construction

Published magnetic values should always be interpreted together with their test method and conditions. Real-world holding performance depends on the target surface, contact, air gap, orientation and finished graphic.

5. Magnetic Holding Performance

Magnetic holding performance is particularly important with very thin magnetic media because the product must balance printability with magnetic capability.

Simple Signman’s 13 pt Standard media has a specified minimum pull value of 6.0 g/cm², while the 17 pt Premium media has a specified minimum of 10.0 g/cm².

These numbers should not be compared directly with pull-force ratings for thick conventional magnetic sheeting unless the test methods and conditions are equivalent.

Real-world holding performance can be affected by:

• target steel;
• steel thickness;
• surface coatings;
• air gap;
• surface contact;
• graphic size;
• load direction;
• friction;
• curl or flatness;
• environment.

For more information on interpreting flexible magnet performance, see SSKC-033 — Flexible Magnet Holding Force Explained.

6. Pole Pitch and Magnetization

Thin flexible magnetic media commonly use multipole magnetization to produce useful attraction at short working distances.

Alternating magnetic pole regions are arranged across the magnetic surface:

N | S | N | S | N | S

The spacing and geometry of these poles influence how the magnetic field interacts with the target surface.

For the 17 pt Premium construction, the specified pole pitch is 1.0 mm.

Pole-pitch values should still be interpreted carefully because measurement conventions can vary between manufacturers.

A smaller pole pitch should not automatically be interpreted as greater holding force. Material formulation, thickness, magnetization and the complete magnetic circuit also matter.

For a detailed explanation, see SSKC-027 — Flexible Magnet Pole Pitch and Multipole Magnetization.

7. Toner and Digital Printing Considerations

Toner-based digital printing places unusual demands on magnetic media.

The sheet may need to pass through:

• feed rollers;
• registration systems;
• transfer components;
• fusing sections;
• output rollers;
• stacking systems.

Important variables therefore include:

• total caliper;
• sheet stiffness;
• flatness;
• surface treatment;
• heat exposure;
• feed orientation;
• sheet dimensions;
• machine settings;
• toner adhesion.

This is why conventional 20 mil or 30 mil flexible magnetic sheeting should not automatically be substituted for specialized thin magnetic print media.

8. Tested Equipment vs Universal Compatibility

Simple Signman magnetic print media has been tested on specific digital printing equipment, including HP Indigo 7800 and 7900 presses.

This provides useful application experience, but it should not be interpreted as universal certification for every configuration, firmware version, press condition or production environment.

Likewise, compatibility with one toner or digital press does not automatically establish compatibility with another manufacturer's equipment.

9. Feeding, Thickness and Sheet Handling

Thin magnetic media still behave differently from conventional paper.

The magnetic compound adds weight and changes the mechanical properties of the sheet.

Potential production considerations include:

• sheet separation;
• stack height;
• feed reliability;
• static;
• curl;
• sheet orientation;
• roller pressure;
• output stacking.

Because the sheets are already magnetized, they may also interact with ferromagnetic components or with adjacent magnetic sheets in ways that ordinary paper does not.

Follow the media-loading procedure established during qualification rather than assuming normal paper-handling practices will always work.

10. Heat and Fusing

Toner printing may expose media to significant heat during the fusing process.

The complete construction must remain sufficiently stable through that process.

Possible heat-related concerns include:

• curl;
• waviness;
• dimensional change;
• surface distortion;
• coating changes;
• feed problems;
• loss of flatness.

Magnetic functionality alone does not establish print-process suitability.

The printable surface, magnetic layer, coatings and complete construction must all tolerate the actual production conditions.

11. Why the Back Surface Matters

The magnetic side of specialized print media can include a back treatment designed to support production and handling requirements.

Simple Signman’s pre-magnetized print media uses a UV back coat.

The back surface should not be treated as an insignificant part of the product. Its characteristics can influence:

• sheet handling;
• surface protection;
• friction;
• feeding behavior;
• contact with the final target surface.

As with the printable face, the complete construction should be evaluated in the intended printing and application workflow.

12. Typical Applications

Pre-magnetized digital print media can be useful for applications requiring short-run, customized or frequently changed magnetic graphics.

Potential applications include:

• retail graphics;
• promotional signage;
• price and information cards;
• menu graphics;
• point-of-purchase displays;
• event graphics;
• identification systems;
• temporary messaging;
• custom magnetic pieces;
• variable-data magnetic graphics.

The suitability of a particular media depends on graphic dimensions, target surface, orientation, handling and environmental conditions.

13. Magnetic vs Magnetic-Receptive Print Systems

Pre-magnetized media is itself magnetic.

This is different from magnetic-receptive print media, which is designed to be attracted to a separate magnetic base but is not necessarily permanently magnetized itself.

The distinction can be summarized as:

System	Magnetic Source	Replaceable Graphic
Pre-magnetized print media	The printed sheet itself	Magnetic
Magnetic-receptive graphic system	Separate magnetic base	Magnetic-receptive

Neither system is universally better. The choice depends on what remains permanently installed, what needs to be changed, printing requirements, handling, graphic size and magnetic performance.

See SSKC-030 — Magnetic vs Magnetic-Receptive Materials for a complete explanation.

14. How to Choose 13 pt or 17 pt

The selection should balance printer requirements with final magnetic performance.

Application Priority	Starting Point
Lower caliper is important	Evaluate 13 pt Standard
Greater magnetic holding capability is required	Evaluate 17 pt Premium
Press has restrictive media limits	Verify both constructions against actual press specifications and testing
Large finished graphic	Evaluate graphic weight, flatness, contact and magnetic performance
Non-magnetic coating exists between media and steel	Test at the actual air gap
Vertical installation	Test for sliding under actual conditions

15. How to Qualify Magnetic Media on Your Press

Before moving to production, establish a controlled qualification process.

1. Confirm press media limits. Check thickness, dimensions, weight and feed requirements.
2. Confirm the exact magnetic media construction. Do not qualify one construction and assume another thickness will behave identically.
3. Run a small test. Evaluate feeding, registration, toner transfer and fusing.
4. Inspect the sheet after printing. Look for curl, waviness, distortion or coating problems.
5. Complete the finishing process. Cut or finish the media exactly as intended for production.
6. Test the final magnetic application. Use representative steel, orientation and environmental conditions.
7. Document successful settings. Maintain a repeatable production procedure for future jobs.

For critical production, equipment-manufacturer guidance should also be followed.

16. Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Treating magnetic media like ordinary paper

Magnetic sheets have different weight, stiffness and interaction characteristics.

Mistake 2: Selecting only by magnetic strength

A stronger product is not useful if it cannot be reliably transported through the press.

Mistake 3: Selecting only by thickness

Two materials of similar caliper can have different surfaces, magnetic performance and feeding characteristics.

Mistake 4: Assuming 17 pt means exactly 17 mil

The 17 pt Premium product designation should be distinguished from its nominal caliper specification.

Mistake 5: Comparing pull values without test conditions

Magnetic values are meaningful only when the measurement method and conditions are understood.

Mistake 6: Assuming tested means universally approved

Successful testing on one press or configuration does not establish compatibility with every machine.

Mistake 7: Testing only the printing step

The final magnetic graphic must also be tested on the actual or representative target surface.

17. Frequently Asked Questions

What is pre-magnetized print media?

It is thin printable media that already contains a permanently magnetized flexible magnetic layer, allowing the printed sheet itself to attach to a compatible ferromagnetic surface.

What is the difference between 13 pt Standard and 17 pt Premium?

The 13 pt Standard construction has a nominal caliper of 13 mil ± 1.3 mil and a specified minimum pull value of 6.0 g/cm². The 17 pt Premium construction has a nominal caliper of 16 mil ± 1.6 mil and a specified minimum pull value of 10.0 g/cm². The appropriate choice also depends on press compatibility and application requirements.

Is 17 pt Premium exactly 17 mil thick?

No. “17 pt Premium” is the product designation. Its nominal caliper specification is 16 mil ± 1.6 mil.

Can pre-magnetized media run through any digital press?

No. Compatibility depends on the press, feed path, media limits, temperature, sheet format, surface construction and production settings.

Has Simple Signman magnetic print media been tested on HP Indigo equipment?

Yes. The media has been tested on HP Indigo 7800 and 7900 equipment. This should be treated as documented testing experience rather than universal compatibility with every press configuration.

Why use thin magnetic print media instead of conventional magnetic sheeting?

Thin media can be more suitable for digital printing equipment with restrictive media paths while still providing magnetic functionality for appropriate applications.

What does 6.0 g/cm² or 10.0 g/cm² mean?

These are magnetic pull specifications expressed as force relative to area under defined test conditions. They should not be compared blindly with specifications measured using different methods or target conditions.

Does the 17 pt Premium have a defined pole pitch?

Yes. Its specified pole pitch is 1.0 mm. Pole pitch is only one factor affecting magnetic performance.

Is pre-magnetized media the same as magnetic-receptive media?

No. Pre-magnetized media creates its own magnetic field. Magnetic-receptive media is designed to interact with a separate magnetic surface.

Can the finished magnetic graphic be used vertically?

Potentially, depending on its size, weight, target surface, contact, friction and magnetic performance. Vertical installations should be tested in their actual orientation.

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Engineering & Production Principle

A magnetic print media is successful only when both sides of the equation work: reliable printing and reliable magnetic performance.

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Continue Learning About Flexible Magnetic Materials

Understand flexible magnet fundamentals in SSKC-026 — Flexible Magnetic Sheeting Explained.

Learn about multipole magnetization in SSKC-027 — Pole Pitch and Multipole Magnetization.

Understand magnetic and magnetic-receptive systems in SSKC-030 — Magnetic vs Magnetic-Receptive Materials.

Learn how to interpret holding-force specifications in SSKC-033 — Flexible Magnet Holding Force Explained.

For general printer selection, see SSKC-035 — Printable Magnetic Sheeting for Printers.

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Need Help Testing Magnetic Media on Your Digital Press?

Tell us your printer or press model, sheet size, media thickness limits, printing process, finished graphic dimensions, target surface and application. We can help determine which magnetic print media should be evaluated.

Simple Signman — a leading Canadian source for flexible magnetic materials and neodymium magnets.

Sharing our magnetic expertise since 1969.